To be clear, 76 tankers comprise a massive fraction of Russia's shadow fleet. At this rate in two weeks there will be next to no Russian tankers in the Black Sea.
This is more effective that any direct sanctions package.
Even if these tankers aren't sunk or fully disabled, their ability to independently operate is effectively zero.
What port would accept a tanker with visible damage? That is a massive fire risk.
What tanker would risk an at sea transfers with a ship with damaged systems?
Browder: Putin's Russia is a kleptocracy. From traffic police to the Kremlin, officials enrich themselves through bribes, theft, and extortion.
Putin and about 1,000 people around him have stolen roughly $1 trillion from the Russian state.
Sorloth has 0 goal contributions this tournament and instead of passing it to Haaland WHO HAS 7 GOALS but he thinks he’s Messi, genuinely cost Norway the game
Russia’s fuel crisis is no longer just queues at gas stations.
It is spreading into agriculture, logistics, retail and food supply.
Refining fell 25% in June year-on-year, to 3.91 million barrels per day — the lowest level in more than 20 years, Meduza. 1/
Why does Ukraine attack the bridge and/or engine room of a Shadow Fleet tanker?
The engine is the most valuable part of these ships. A damaged hull can still be repaired if the damage is limited, but without a functioning engine, the ship is scrapped.
🇷🇺 Russians are shocked that Ukraine has hit 76 Ships since Tuesday, but it wasn't enough to stop the war.
So, 300 Ukrainian Angry Birds are planning an "Ocean Swim" party tonight! ⬇️🇺🇦🦩
Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck more than 27% of Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov over four days, according to Defense Express.
There are about 120 Russian vessels operating in the Sea of Azov, and Ukraine’s Special Operations Forces reportedly struck 35 of them over four days—more than a quarter of the fleet. During the night of July 9 alone, another 14 vessels were reportedly hit, marking the highest daily total since the operation began on July 6.
According to Defense Express, satellite imagery indicates that most of the targeted vessels are dry cargo ships and tankers.
Analysts said the key development is the expansion of Ukraine’s Middle Strike campaign into the Sea of Azov, which serves as a major logistical route to occupied Crimea.
Following the attacks, Russian authorities reportedly accelerated inspections of ships transiting the Kerch Strait or canceled them altogether, altering maritime traffic patterns in the region, the publication said.
United24
Browder: Putin stole too much money. He knows one day a million people march on Red Square — and it won't be an elegant exit, it'll be violent and bloody for him personally.
He can kill Navalny, kill Nemtsov, imprison individuals. But not a million people.
Russia's fuel crisis continues to spiral out of control, with Russians doing anything to get their hands on that sweet liquid gold.
Service stations are starting to look a bit like the White House lawn.